I Lay My Stitches Down by Cynthia Grady Poems of American Slavery

This rich and intricate collection of poems chronicles the various experiences of American slaves. Drawn together through imagery drawn from quilting and fiber arts, each poem is spoken from a different perspective: a house slave, a mother losing her daughter to the auction block, a blacksmith, a slave fleeing on the Underground Railroad.

This moving and eloquent set of poems, brought to life by vivid and colorful artwork from Michele Wood, offers a timeless witness to the hardship endured by America’s slaves. Each poem is supplemented by a historical note.

Cynthia Grady is a poet and a librarian at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. I Lay My Stiches Down will be her first published book. In her spare time, Cynthia quilts. Visit her website at www.cynthiagrady.com.Michele Wood is a painter, illustrator, designer, and writer. She received the American Book Award for her first book, Going Back Home, and the Coretta Scott King Award for the illustration in her book I See the Rhythm. Michele lives in Georgia. Visit her website at www.michelewood.com.

Publishers Weekly

Newcomer Gradyâs compact poems about the lives of slaves cover an emotional range from gossamer (âLike the wrenâs/ song, she hits the grace note just soâ) to leaden (âdrag my heart clean/ out of my chestâ).

Kirkus Reviews

I had in mind that idea of teaching different blocks, and I was thinking of Lucille Clifton’s Blessing the Boats, where she had poem titles named after traditional quilt blocks, and I thought that was cool.